Saturday, February 23, 2013

I am doing a small research to design a two-way communication concept into a search&rescue service, where UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle, for instance a balloon, a copter, a disk or a fixed winger) could relay a two-way communication between the rescue service and the victim.The rescue service (like firefighters) already try to establish a two-way communication (conversation) with the victim on a ground mission, but I am not aware of such when using an UAV.

I need help from the audience, do you know any UAV/UAS that is equipped for two-way communcation between the rescue service and the victim?

Here are some description what I am looking for:
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The
benefits of the conversation could be such as:

a response from the rescue service
(we have found you)

a response from the target (I know
that I am searched for)

orders to the target (the help is on
the way, wait there for one hour)

a conditional response from the
service (storm is coming, the nearest shelter is one km north from your place)

a conditional response from the
target (my leg is broken)

instructions to the target (first
aid)

anannouncement from the rescue service
(stay inside due the chemical leak)

anannouncement to the rescue service
from third party (someone other needs help)

The
conversation does not need to have same method for both ways:

The rescue service detects the victim with
a heat sensor (one way communication from the target to the rescue
service)

The UAV starts hovering or orbiting around
the target

The target shows light signals with a
flashlight (one way communication from the target to the rescue service)

The UAV gives a response with light or
sound (one way communication from the rescue service to the target)

The communication methods could be such as:

Light
signals

The rescue
service and the target could communicate with lights. This needs light devices
for both parties. The UAV could be equipped with signal lights.

Sound
signals

The rescue
service and the target could communicate with sounds. This could be a voice conversation
or other sounds that a human and a machine can produce. The UAV could be
equipped with microphone and loudspeaker.

Data
signals

The rescue
service and the target could communicate with electronic devices, such as computers
or cellular phones. The UAV could be equipped with telecom base station.